Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
on “DIY Pom-Poms”:“Hi....my question is in regards to the ring used.....what is the gauge...or do you have it…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Great tutorial, looks easy. Now I want to try it. Thanks Ali.…” read »
- on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“Good morning all, hoping to learn from everyone here. I love beads, and am hoping to…” read »
on “The Simple Wire Bracelet”:“I'M HAVING A PROBLEM KEEPING THE WIRE PROTECTOR IN PLACE ...USING ECONOFLEX NYLON COATED .019IN. WIRE.CAN.T…” read »
- on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“I love making and selling memory wire bracelets. I advertise them as "One Size Fits Most."…” read »
- on “Using The Magic Finding”:
“I have seen the crimp beads here made in gold plated brass, which are much cheaper…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“I've made a lot of these...using gemstones & Fireline doubled (2 strands). Gemstones are very hard…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I used the elastic cord for awhile,but switched to the nylon cord for more strength(.05mm),because my…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“I like the crimp tubes better than the beads,myself,and use a crimp cover closer to give…” read »
- on “Making a Shamballa Bracelet”:
“What kind of glue is being used in this project?…” read »
on “Using a Crimp Cover”:“Great advice! I’ve been doing it wrong for so long and getting so frustrated and wasting…” read »
on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:“B Tuttle - ibuse Fireline on a regular. It’s durable and can stand the pulling…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“Gabriele P: the stretch cording comes in black and clear. They used black here.…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“best tutorial I've read in a long time. i'll be making some tonight!…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I enjoy the tutorials.…” read »
on “Wire Wrapped Cover on a Teardrop”:“I like the messy look! I think it's a lot more fun to create whimsical piece!…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“What about fireline? I know that the colors are not as plentiful as all the others.…” read »
on “Finishing Large Acrylic Chain”:“I love those! Thanks!…” read »
- on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“The stretch material used in this tutorial doesn’t seem like the one listed. Can someone please…” read »
- on “Using The Magic Finding”:
“After watching the videos, I decided to purchase tool and components and try it myself. A…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Yikes, I’m having the worst time trying to string that 20mm African turquoise guru bead. This…” read »
on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:“They don’t carry it anymore:(…” read »
- on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:
“How can I buy the bezel tag? I cannot find it on your site! …” read »
- on “Making a Fish Tail Braid”:
“Wonderfully easy to follow tutorial! Love the design results! Will be trying this knot.…” read »
- on “Making a Shamballa Bracelet”:
“Does the cord used have to be Chinese Knotting Cord or would C-Lon work?…” read »
- on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:
“Love the idea, where can I find the bezel tag. Every time I search for bezel…” read »
- on “Preparing and Using Resin”:
“Please try using customer service to ask your questions!…” read »
- on “Preparing and Using Resin”:
“I want to dispense resin into small jewelry molds to look like real jewels, is there…” read »
- on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“Thank you, thank you thankyou!! It took a bit of wiggling the needle around to go…” read »
on “How to Prevent Bubbles in Your Resin”:“Great tip. Do you have any tips for Doming?…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Yes! Your advice is totally on the mark. Crimp tubes are a thousand times better than…” read »
- on “How to set a Nunn Design Glass Dome”:
“Are the coloured glass domes actually available to sell on lima beads? I can't imagine…” read »
- on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“Love the inked cork cord ideas! I just signed up for your newsletter. I read some…” read »
on “D.I.Y. Tassels”:“Tassels always add a "je ne sais quoi" to ANY piece of jewelry, whether made of…” read »
- on “Using the Square Knot”:
“Thank you for this video!!!…” read »
- on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“For those of you that noted your crimp BEADS seem to slip. I had the…” read »
on “How to use Katiedid components”:“Interesting tool…” read »
- on “Using Collapsible Beading Needles”:
“Where can I find a photo of the finished project? I like the colors and elements.…” read »
- on “Using Collapsible Beading Needles”:
“Nice design. Thank you. Do you have a video showing HOW you got all those threads…” read »
- on “Make a Bolo Necklace”:
“THANKS FOR ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS AND IDEAS,SOON I'LL BE SHARING A FEW OF MY…” read »
About this Tip:
Follow this step-by-step technique to learn the basics of using a crimp cover to hide your crimp beads.
Components:
The products featured in this tip are listed below.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Step 1: Hold the crimp cover with flat nose pliers (easier to hold in my opinion) or with chain nose pliers. |
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Step 2: While grasping the crimp cover in your pliers, insert crimp bead into the crimp cover so that it is cupping it. I typically wait until I’m done stringing to add the crimp cover. |
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Step 3: Pinch the cover closed over the crimp bead. |
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Step 4: Turn the crimp cover a quarter turn and pinch again to secure the seam and round off the cover. |
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Step 5: All done! |
Buy Products from this Technique
You are viewing all 5 items.
| Piece | $7.90 |
| 1 gram (approx. 40 pieces) | $3.20 |
You are viewing all 5 items.
On Apr 06, 2012 at 10:53 pm #
Corinne says:Thank you so much! It was really difficult for me to be able to squeeze the cover in a right manner. Now, I think I will do it right.
On Apr 07, 2012 at 3:11 am #
Vee aka Dream Chickie says:Thank you! This really helps! I was having a challenging time closing my crimp covers.
On Jul 24, 2012 at 4:30 pm #
Loretta L says:I have trouble with the smaller crimp covers as my fingers just don’t cooperate! However, I have found if I use the 6mm covers it works great for me.
On Jul 26, 2012 at 5:23 pm #
William G says:looking,reading, learning. Great stuff!
On Aug 28, 2012 at 2:24 pm #
desert beader says:I’ve never used crimp covers, but after seeing the technique,it presents more professionally. thanks for the tip
On Apr 16, 2014 at 12:06 pm #
P Baker says:Thrilled I found your site, offers more easier than other sites
On Apr 29, 2015 at 8:01 am #
RonnyJ says:I use the larger, base metal crimps and crimp covers due to hand stiffness, sometimes paint with alcohol ink to match beads.
On Oct 10, 2015 at 1:08 am #
N schreiber says:lately my crimp beads have been slipping, I have seen a one spot crimp tool used instead of the usual crimp tool, which one is the best? sorry question not comment. n. schreiber
On Mar 23, 2017 at 12:22 am #
beebop754 says:Great tips maybe my covers won’t look so horrible now thanks a lot. Lisa Aceto
On Dec 31, 2017 at 3:39 am #
M fosbre says:question: do you crimp the bead first and then the cover or is it a one step ?
On Jan 10, 2018 at 9:26 am #
Moogie says:You crimp & fold over the crimp bead then add the cover. Adding the covers used to make me insane but with practice, I’ve gotten better. I also found a special tool to help! But it’s not absolutely necessary…
On Nov 03, 2018 at 6:14 am #
llosingit says:For those of you that noted your crimp BEADS seem to slip. I had the same problem every time I took classes & the teacher made us use a crimp bead. I actually had the wire pull right out of a bracelet I made & gave as a Christma’s gift. Embarrassing! I started using crimp TUBES, usually 2mm x 2mm, and they work a thousand times better for me.
On Dec 31, 2018 at 1:22 am #
LSuzanne says:Yes! Your advice is totally on the mark. Crimp tubes are a thousand times better than the beads. I’ve used both, but switched to the tubes 12 years ago.
On Aug 31, 2019 at 10:41 am #
MidMoonLady says:Great advice! I’ve been doing it wrong for so long and
getting so frustrated and wasting so much time.
Thank you so much. ☺️
On Sep 05, 2019 at 11:24 am #
C Edmonds says:I like the crimp tubes better than the beads,myself,and use a crimp cover closer to give my pieces a more “finished” appearance. For added strength at the bottom of the clamshell crimp bead,I add a second crimp tube,and cover that,as well.